Touchuponastar Wins His Third $100,000 Gold Cup at Delta Downs (Hodges Photo)

- LOUISIANA LEGEND ADDS TO HIS LOFTY BANKROLL WITH ANOTHER EASY WIN -

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs closed out opening weekend of its new Thoroughbred season on Saturday night, and fans were treated to another stellar performance by Set-Hut LLC’s Touchuponastar under jockey Tim Thornton. The ultra-talented runner captured his third $100,000 Gold Cup in the night’s featured race while adding to his lofty bankroll of more than $2 million.

Touchuponastar’s journey in this year’s Gold Cup began on the outside of the gate while facing seven rivals in the seven-furlong test for Louisiana-breds. The Jeff Delhomme trainee broke alertly but was just off the lead held by Cunimbus in the early going while traveling three wide for the opening quarter mile.

As the field approached the second turn, Touchuponastar began his assault on the leader. When he entered the homestretch, the result was complete domination as Thornton sat chilly while his mount hit the finish line five lengths in front of Tdzshininluckystar. Sippin On Gin was third, just a head behind the runner-up.

The final running time for Touchuponastar was 1:24.79 while racing over a fast track. Touchuponastar holds the track record at Delta Downs for seven furlongs as he went 1:24.27 in the same race last year.

The win by Touchuponastar was his 22nd from 30 overall starts. Against Louisiana-bred competition, he’s won 17 races in a row. His most recent victory placed another $60,000 into his bankroll, which now stands at a staggering $2,142,560.

Bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms, Touchuponastar is a 7-year-old bay gelding by Star Guitar, out of the Lion Heart mare Touch Magic. He was purchased for $15,000 as a yearling in 2020.

Touchuponastar paid $2.20 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Tdzshininluckystar was worth $33.60 to place and $6.80 to show. Sippin on Gin returned $2.80 to show.

Delta Downs will begin racing four days a week, Wednesday through Saturday next week, October 14-17. First post time each night is set for 4:40pm.